One morning my husband and I awoke and determined that now that our child was 7 months outdated, it was the perfect time to make a journey with our child. We selected to go to Puglia, Italy with a child as a result of it isn’t as well-liked a vacation spot throughout spring as it’s throughout summer time. The truth is, we have been welcomed by empty cities, greatest lodging and optimum climate!
We’d even be taking our child on her first flight! Right here’s all our ideas for visiting Puglia with a child:
This publish accommodates compensated hyperlinks.
Puglia with a child
Since Puglia has actually stunning, lengthy seashores and a tremendous sea (they even name an space Maldive of Salento!), it’s an especially well-liked vacation spot in the summertime.
If you’re touring together with your child, our recommendation is to go to Puglia throughout autumn or spring: you’ll have the appropriate climate to go to the cities with out melting below the solar, however nonetheless be capable of benefit from the seashores (and perhaps actually have a swim in crystal clear waters).
Visiting Puglia with a Child
Puglia affords every little thing you may want to purchase for infants. Diapers and system will be simply present in each market or pharmacy. Folks in bars and eating places are so pleasant, they are going to gladly heat up your child’s system, refill their cups, carry them appropriate meals and even decide them as much as entertain them when you are consuming (in fact after getting your permission!).
Child services are normally obtainable in eating places and lodging, however it’s higher to test with them first, as a way to keep away from any surprises!
Renting a Automotive in Puglia
Public transportation will not be as effectively organized as you would wish when touring with a child and taxis are actually costly in Italy, so we most well-liked to lease a automobile with a child seat. Having a automobile can also be helpful if it’s a must to change the newborn whereas on the street, specifically, we had our altering station arrange within the trunk each time Atena wanted it!
Aside from altering room, we used the automobile as a quiet place to provide Atena her system, clear surfaces to organize her snacks on the go, and it was a quiet spot to get her to nap whereas driving.
Whereas the spring temperatures in Puglia aren’t that top, the solar continues to be shining shiny in Puglia. When you plan to make use of automobile naps or stroller naps to get your child to sleep on trip, it’s worthwhile to carry your blackout curtains for journey and a stroller sunshade to provide your child a darker area out of the solar to nap.
We packed our journey stroller and our child provider for Puglia. We advocate a light-weight journey stroller for the airplane, which inserts within the overhead bin. The streets in Puglia aren’t dangerous so that you’ll haven’t any points utilizing it. You’ll additionally desire a stroller that packs small to slot in your automobile rental.
For flying with a stroller our first time, we used an older stroller as a result of we had deliberate to test it with our baggage and didn’t wish to fear in case it received broken. We had our child provider as a backup as effectively.
Child’s first flight
We departed from Malpensa, a Milano airport, which we found to be actually outfitted for youngsters. Our airline firm allowed two free two items of child gear (for instance a stroller and a automobile seat) and one free child backpack.
In fact, we have been simply in a position to carry child system (with no limits), child journey meals and snacks PLUS cold and warm water(no limits both) by way of safety in our diaper bag backpack for the flight for our child.
Being a backpacking couple earlier than we had our child, we’re used to touring mild. For this flight, we simply booked two carry-on baggage for all three of us. This allowed us to avoid wasting cash, that we used to decide on the seats on the airplane.
We wished to guarantee that we had the aisle seat with our child, since we wanted to have the ability to stroll across the airplane to entertain or rock Atena to sleep.
Our first expertise flying with a child was simpler than we anticipated. Atena slept and performed with me and her daddy, strolling on the airplane backwards and forwards. We even came upon that our airline firm can print the first-time-flying child a certificates for the so referred to as “baptism of the air”!
Touchdown in Puglia
We landed in Bari airport, the place a nursery is on the market instantly close to the place you decide up oversize baggage. We had checked our stroller with our baggage and picked it up on the outsized baggage space.
We had beforehand booked a automobile on-line, which we strongly advocate due to the lengthy queues that occur on the airport automobile rental places of work. Our automobile and child automobile seat good situation. We all the time bear in mind to test if the seat is clear, of fine high quality and appropriately fixed to the automobile.
Please remember the fact that in Italy, it’s obligatory to have a baby restraint gadget like a automobile seat. Carry your automobile seat from dwelling (if it isn’t too massive!), otherwise you’ll be charged for its rental too.
As GPS, we used Google Maps, but when your roaming plan doesn’t present limitless web site visitors, right here’s a tip! When nonetheless in your house nation, it’s best to obtain the free app Maps.me, seek for Italy and obtain the chosen maps. This app is the perfect overseas as a result of it makes use of location and never gigabytes, however nonetheless working nice as navigation gadget.
The place to Keep in Puglia with a Child
We stayed at Trullo Donna Isabella and Masseria Chinunno throughout our time in Puglia.
Trullo Donna Isabella has good child services, a effectively outfitted kitchen, and sufficient area outdoors for teenagers to play. You’ll additionally love the good selfmade Italian breakfast and it’s proximity to the town of Locorotondo.
At Masseria Chinunno we have been handled to essentially good meals, enormous inexperienced fields, a farm with animals, playgrounds and even an journey park (opened on weekends). Rooms have been not too long ago renovated and have been actually clear..
5 Days in Puglia with a Child
Day 1 – Bari and Polignano a Mare
We left the automobile in a parking close to our lodge and explored Bari by foot. We booked a tour with a information from VelaService which was merely superb!
Atena was in our Tula provider nearly on a regular basis and she or he even slept in my husband’s arms through the stroll round.
The information Paola was actually useful and she or he paid distinctive consideration to our wants as mother and father. For instance, at one level, the tour was heading to a “secret” spot for a shock for the attendees. The information knowledgeable us that the shock would have included loud music, we have been actually grateful for this recommendation!
We stopped at a restaurant however they didn’t have the altering desk, so I went again to VelaService workplace they usually even let me use their personal (and clear) toilet. They don’t have a altering desk both, however a journey change mat is a should when touring with a child!
The very first thing we discovered is that flexibility is without doubt one of the most essential expertise to usher in on a street journey with a child!
Within the afternoon, we had a stroll in Polignano a Mare, slightly metropolis which rises to peak on the ocean. Take into account that you will have some difficulties with the stroller, particularly if it’s a small journey one like ours, so we advocate utilizing a child provider for journey right here.
A street journey with a child will be difficult at instances, however it may be superb too! Make yours the perfect it may be with my ideas for a street journey with a child.
Day 2 – Monopoli, Ostuni and Locorotondo
Sticking with the tour we had organized, we needed to go to Monopoli and Ostuni. We went there, however the wind was too robust. The second factor we discovered about touring with a child is that it is advisable to take heed to their wants first.
So, we had a lazy lunch speaking to different vacationers and tasting typical meals, then we had some play time in our Trullo, a standard home of Puglia.
Day 3 – Alberobello and Torre Canne
After a scrumptious Italian breakfast with cappuccino, brioches and selfmade muffins, we went to Alberobello, essentially the most well-known Trullo metropolis.
You should utilize your journey stroller right here, however be ready for a couple of tough sections. The solar is actually scorching there, so carry solar hats for you and a child solar hat, sunscreen and water.
A stroller sunshade, just like the CoziGo stroller cowl, can also be good to maintain solar off your child if the cover of your stroller isn’t fairly massive sufficient.
Within the afternoon, we reached Torre Canne, a well-known seaside, the place we ate fried fish and had a beer below a giant seaside umbrella.
We spent the afternoon chilling on the seaside, Atena touched the water together with her toes and we had a quick stroll. It wasn’t the primary time Atena noticed the seaside, but it surely was the primary time she seen the sand and stones. She performed lots with the sand and as is typical when taking a child to the seaside, she tried to place every little thing in her mouth.
An excellent pop-up seaside tent is a good way to let your child crawl round and get a while out of the solar. We weren’t there lengthy sufficient to want on… After taking part in on the seaside for an hour, Atena was so drained.
We determined to order two pizzas and keep in our Trullo for dinner. We placed on our cozy pajamas, turned on the warmth, pressed play and loved a film all collectively.
Day 4: Matera
On day 4 we visited Matera, which is definitely in one other area than Puglia, however so close to to our path!
Within the morning we walked across the new metropolis middle with Atena in her journey stroller. We visited Casa Noha, a FAI website, the place an interactive video was performed. We actually loved each the video about outdated Matera and the pause from the new climate outdoors.
Atena took her morning nap there: it was so good and darkish we type of envied her! At Casa Noha, in addition they have a altering desk, which is actually helpful when you’re on the street and away out of your automobile seats!
We stopped for a fast lunch at Pasteggiando, which we advocate (even when they don’t have an excessive chair, it’s well worth the wrestle).
We had booked a tour with a information by way of GetYourGuide, an app which is extraordinarily helpful that can assist you discover low-cost guided excursions. Utilizing the stroller in Matera’s Sassi will not be really useful, so we left it within the tour workplace and put Atena in our provider and she or he was so quiet!
The go to to Sassi lasted about 2 hours, then we headed to our subsequent lodging: Masseria Chinunno. Apart from actually good meals, on this Masseria you will discover enormous inexperienced fields, a farm with animals, playgrounds and even an journey park (opened on weekends). Rooms have been not too long ago renovated and have been actually clear.
If you’d like a crib for infants there’s an additional cost of 20 euros, or you’ll be able to carry your personal child journey crib.
Bathe was spacious sufficient to clean Atena with out difficulties, which was a plus for certain! Throughout our earlier journeys, the bathe second was all the time so dramatic! At dwelling, Atena is used to take lengthy and stress-free bathtub in her Stokke little bathtub.
Dinner within the Masseria Chinunno was scrumptious (and, by the best way, so low-cost!) and the sound of nature rocked all three of us to sleep.
Day 5 – Masseria Chinunno
Our final day in Puglia! After breakfast, we had a stroll within the Masseria park and farm. Atena noticed cows and little pigs for the primary time. She was excited and slightly bit scared on the identical time!
Then, we jumped on the automobile and set our gps with vacation spot: Bari airport. On the best way there, we stopped by the ocean to have a fish lunch.
On the restaurant, Atena burst into tears and we have been fast to consolation her with little success. She wouldn’t eat pasta (so unusual for an Italian child!), she didn’t wish to drink her milk, she didn’t wish to sleep.
In that second we realized that we had been too demanding of her yesterday. Therefore, we completed our lunch in a rush and located the right spot to let her nap within the shade of a tree, rocked by the sound of the ocean weaves.
It was one other good lesson in touring with a child, that typically we have to decelerate!
Our preliminary plan was to maintain her awake through the journey to the airport, in order that she would sleep on the airplane, however our expertise with our child taught us that it’s higher to take care of a totally rested and awake child moderately than an overtired and sleepless one! She slept for about an hour, then it was time to go away Puglia and fly again to our hometown close to Milan.
Household Photoshoot
A household photoshoot is a wonderful technique to protect reminiscences out of your journey! Get $25 off your first Flytographer photograph shoot.
Planning our Subsequent Journey with a Child
The primary expertise flying with our child was nice, all the troubles we had earlier than boarding instantly disappeared after the take off. After this journey, we instantly organized the subsequent one!
Subsequent steps will likely be to get a child passport so we are able to journey with Atena outdoors the Schengen space quickly! We’re creating nice reminiscences with our first baby and can’t cease fascinated by when she’ll develop a bit and perceive the place she goes. We think about her wanting outdoors the little airplane window, taking part in together with her tiny curls and be as thrilled as us when the captain says ‘cabin crew, put together for touchdown’!
Come Be part of Us!
We love answering questions in our Child Can Journey Fb group. Come ask all of your child journey associated questions and share recommendation with different touring mother and father!
Discovered this publish helpful? Share it with your pals!
Letizia
Mamma Letizia, Papà Lorenzo and little Atena (born in Sept 2021): Our goal is to journey the world exhibiting that if we are able to journey with a not-so-much quiet child, different mother and father can too! We discuss our journeys with tragicomicity and we share our survival methods, if we achieve surviving first!
Celine Brewer is the proprietor of Child Can Journey. Not solely does she have years of expertise touring with infants & toddlers, however she’s helped thousands and thousands of recent mother and father journey with their infants and toddlers for over a decade. Along with writing on her child journey weblog, she has shared her experience on touring with a child or toddler by contributing to articles about touring with a child with the Washington Publish, USA At this time, the Lonely Planet journal and Being pregnant & New child journal.
Celine additionally writes about household journey on the positioning FamilyCanTravel.com, which she co-owns together with her husband. Being from the Canadian Rockies, she shares her ardour about her dwelling and journey to Banff Nationwide Park and space on their website TravelBanffCanada.com.
